Tow vehicle and signal adjusting system therefor

ABSTRACT

The tow vehicle system disclosed includes pivotably mounted cams above floor level and responsive to discrete power cylinders below floor level. The cams move selector pins on a tow vehicle in a transverse direction to a guide slot along which the vehicle is propelled. The extent of movement of the cams is controlled by discrete selectively operable limit stops in the path of movement of the cams. The location of the limit stops corresponds to the predetermined transverse positions of the selector pins. Movement of the cams into the path of the selector pins is initiated by a switch means responsive to the presence of the vehicle at that location. The cams are reset by another switch means responsive to passage of the vehicle past the location thereof. The selector pins on the front of the vehicle are mounted for pivotable movement about a vertical axis adjacent the rear of the vehicle.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Egidio Lucas DeOliveira Easton, Pa. [21] Appl. No. 847,524 [22] Filed July 28, 1969 [45] Patented Sept. 7, 1971 {73] Assignee .81 Handling Systems, Inc.

. Easton, Pa.

541 TOW vErncLE AND SIGNAL ADJUSTING SYSTEM THEREFOR 13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl .I 104/88, 104/170 [51] Int. Cl B6lb 9/00 [50] Field of Search 104/88, 170, 172 HT [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,174,439 3/1965 Edger et al 104/172 3,200,767 8/1965 Klamp et al lo t/88 Primary Examiner-Arthur L. La Point Assistant Examiner-Robert Saifer A!t0rneySeidel, Gonda & Goldhammer ABSTRACT: The tow vehicle system disclosed includes pivotably mounted cams above floor level and responsive to discrete power cylinders below floor level. The cams move selector pins on a tow vehicle in a transverse direction to a guide slot along which the vehicle is propelled. The extent of movement of the cams is controlled by discrete selectively operable limit stops in the path of movement of the cams. The location of the limit stops corresponds to the predetermined transverse positions of the selector pins. Movement of the cams into the path of the selector pins is initiated by a switch means responsive to the presence of the vehicle at that location. The cams are reset by another switch means responsive to passage of the vehicle past the location thereof. The selector pins on the front of the vehicle are mounted for pivotable movement about a vertical axis adjacent the rear of the vehicle.

TOW VEHICLE AND SIGNAL ADJUSTING SYSTEM THEREFOR It has been conventional heretofore to provide a tow vehicle with one ore more selector pins adjustable across the width of the truck in predetermined transverse positions. The selector pins are adapted to actuate switch mechanisms which enable the vehicle to be switched from movement along a main slot to movement along a shunt slot. The exact positions of the selector pins have to be set manually before the vehicle was coupled to theconveyor means located below the main slot.

The present invention is directed to a novel tow vehicle and signal adjusting system therefore. The present invention enables the position of the selector pins to be selectively adjusted while the vehicle is moving. A practical situation exemplifying the need for the present invention is as follows. In a large tow vehicle system, there are a large number of shunt slots. If a vehicle has the selector pins positioned so as to cause the vehicle to be diverted along a particular shunt slot, the vehicle will not transfer to that particular shunt slot if the particular shunt slot is fully loaded. As a result thereof, the vehicle will continue to circulate around the entire system until it can switch off into the particular shunt slot. By means of the present invention the vehicle need not continue to circulate throughout the system, but may have its selector pins readjusted so as to enable the vehicle to be shunted along another slot which is not loaded to capacity.

In accordance with the present invention, he main slot is provided at a particular location with a signal adjusting means. The selector pins on the vehicle are disposed in an upright position at the front of the truck and pivotably mounted for rotation about a vertical axis adjacent the rear of the vehicle. As the vehicle approaches the signal adjusting means, stationary cams on the reference surface such as the floor cam all of the selector pins in one direction to a neutral position. As the vehicle approaches the signal adjusting means, the tow pin on the vehicle trips a switch mechanism which moves pivotably mounted cams into the path of the approaching selector pins. Selectively operable limit stops are provided for the cams and corresponding to the various transverse positions of the selector pins.

Whenthe pivotably mounted cams engage the limit stop, the selector pin remains in the thusly positioned transverse orientation. The tow vehicle may have a selector on opposite sides of its tow pin. The respective selector pins may be caused to move transversely to different positions so as to be located at different distances from the tow pin. After the selector pins have been adjusted to the desired position, all of which is accomplished while the vehicle continues to move along the main slot at normal speeds, a switch means is tripped by the vehicle to cause the pivotable cams to return to their initial position.

. Itis an object .of the present invention to provide a novel tow vehicle system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel tow vehicle system wherein the transverse position of one or more selector pins on a tow vehicle may be selectively adjusted while the vehicle is moving along the main slot.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tow vehiclesystem having a selector pin adjusting means structurally interrelated in a manner so that is may be factory constructed and installed as a unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tow vehicle system having a selector pin adjusting means adapted to adjust the position of selector pins on a vehicle while the vehicle is moving, with such means being constructed in a manner whereby substantially the entire device will be below floor level.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel tow vehicle adapted for use in a system whereby the selector pin may be selectively repositioned at transverse locations across the vehicle while the vehicle is moving.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention illustrated as movingalong the main slot.

FIG. 3 is a partial elevation view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of pneumatic circuitry for controllingthe system.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a tow vehicle designated generally as 10 for use in accordance with a system 12. The system 12 includes a reference surface such as a floor 14 within which is provided a main slot 16.

At one or more locations along the main slot 16, there is provided a signal adjusting means preassembled at the factory and installed in a pit so as to be substantially flush with floor level. Such means includes a housing 18 having sidewalls 20 and 22 parallel to the main slot and end walls 24 and 26 which are perpendicular to the main slot 16. The housing 18 includes a bottom wall 28 and channel walls 30 and 32 which define a continuation of the main slot l6. A top wall section 34 ,is removable and overlies the portion of the housing between the sidewall 20 and channelwall 30. A similar top wall section 36 is provided and overlies the area between the channel wall 32 and sidewall 22. Both of the top wall sections 34 and 36 are removable so as to permit access to the interior of the housing 18. While the channel walls 30 and 32 are not required, they are preferred since they prevent debris from being pushed into the housing 18 by the tow pin on the vehicle l0 as it moves along the main slot 16.

Within the housing 18 and on opposite sides of the channel walls, there are provided identical operating units for selectively adjusting the position of selector pins on a tow vehicle. Only one unit will be described in detail with corresponding primed numerals being applied for the other unit. As shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a clevis38 attached to the end ,wall 26. An arm 40 is disposed in its initial or idle position above the floor level. See FIGS. 1 and 4. A second arm 42, shorter than arm 40, is provided below the top wall section 36 and aligned with arm 40. Clevis 38 supports aligned bearings 44 and 46. A pin 48 fixedly secured to one end of arm 40 extends through a hole in the top wall section 36, through the bearing 44, through a hole in arm 42, and through bearing 46. v

A sleeve bearing 50 extends through an arcuate slot 54 and top wall section 36 and is secured to the left-hand end of arm 42 in FIG. 4. A pin 52 fixedly secured to arm 40 extends through the sleeve bearing 50. Hence, arms 40 and 42 may move in unison while pivoting about the vertical longitudinal axis of pin 48.

An actuating means is provided below floor level and within the housing 18. The actuating means for arm 40 includes a cylinder 56 mounted for pivotable movement at one end about the axis of pin 58. A piston within cylinder 56 is connected to one end of piston rod 60. The other end of piston rod 60 is connected by a clevis to the left-hand end of arm 42. The arm 40 is provided at its free end with a contact member 64. Arm 40 is intended to act as a plow'arm and hereinafter may be referred to as a pivotable cam.

Within housing 18 there is provided a selectively operable limit stop means designated generally as 66. Limit stop means 66 includes a row of plungers at different distances from the main slot 16 while being in the path of movement of the contact member 64.

The limit stop means 66 includes a plurality of solenoids, each adapted to cause a plunger to move upwardly to a position wherein it will contact the member 64. Since each of the sections of limit stop means 66 is identical, only one will be described in detail. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, there is provided a solenoid 70 supported by a wall 68. The plunger 72 associated with solenoid 70 is connected by a chain link 74 to a projection 76 on a bellcrank lever 78. An adjustable contact bolt 80 in provided at the free end of the bellcrank 78 and engages one end ofa vertically disposed plunger 82.

The plunger 82 is guided for vertical movement by a sleeve 84. In order that the plunger 82 does not completely enter the sleeve 84, there is provided a washer 86 at the lower end thereof and held by a cotter pin The diameter of washer 86 is greater than the diameter of sleeve 84. As will be apparent from FIG. 5, the contact member 64 passes above the plunger 82 except when the plunger has been raised to the phantom position by actuation of the solenoid 70.

Referring to FIG. 2, the tow vehicle includes a base 88 mounted on wheels 90. At the front end of the base 88, there is provided upright posts '92 and 94 connected across their upper ends by a rail 98. A brace 96 extends between the posts 92 and 94 below rail 98.

The vehicle 10 is provided with a vertically disposed tow pin 100 which extends downwardly into the slot 16 for connection with a conveyor means, not shown, so that the vehicle may be propelled along the main slot 16. Tow pin 100 has. a handle 102 which is guided by a curved plate 106. The tow pin may be raised by manipulation of handle 102 and may be supported in its raised position by positioning he handle 102 in notch 104.

The vehicle 10 is provided with a bumper 108 which may assume a wide variety of forms conventional in the art. Racks 110 and 111 are provided at the front end of the vehicle on opposite sides of the tow pin 100. The racks and the selector pin associated therewith are identical to one another. Hence, only one will be described in detail.

The rack 110 is provided with a plurality of notches 124 on its upper surface. The notches 124 represent the various preselected transverse position for the selector pin 112. The space between the notches 124 on rack 110 corresponds to the spacing between the plungers 82 of the limit'stop means 66. The selector pin 112 is vertically disposed and it depends downwardly so that its lower end is spaced from floor level by a distance of approximately I inch. Pin 112 is mounted for pivotable movement about a vertical axis adjacent the rear end of the base 88.' Thus, pin 112 is connected to pin 118 by means of rod 116 so that pin 112 may pivot about the vertical axis of pin 118. The other selector pin 114 is connected to pin 122 by rod 120 for pivotable movement about the vertical axis of pin 122.

Referring to the diagram of the circuitry illustrated in FIG. 6, it will be noted that the cylinders 56 and 56 are illustrated therein. The circuitry controls the introduction and exhaust of motive fluid such as pressurized air into the cylinders to effect reciprocation of the piston rods 60 and 60' which in turn move the pivotable cams 40 and 40' until they engage one of the plungers associated with the limit stop means 66 and. 66'. One end of conduit 126 is connected to cylinder 56. The other end of conduit 126 is connected to conduit 132. Conduit 126 is provided with a flow control valve 128.

Conduit 126 containing a flow control valve 128 interconnects one end of cylinder 56' with conduit 132. Conduit 136 interconnects one end of cylinder 56 with conduit 137. Conduit 136' interconnects the other end of cylinder 56' with conduit 137. Conduits 132 and 137 are connected to a four-way supply and exhaust valve 134.

in the position of valve 134 illustrated in FIG. 6, conduit 132 is in communication with conduit 138 while conduit 137 is exhausted to atmosphere. This is the normal relationship of the components when the pivotable cams 40 and 40' are in their initial or idle position shown in FIG. 1. In order to shift valve 134 to a position wherein conduits 137 and 138 communicate with one another while conduit 132 is exhausted to at mosphere, a means is provided to accomplish the shifting pneumatically. A pneumatic means includes conduit 142 containing solenoid operated valve 146. Conduit 142 extends from the left-hand end of valve 134 in FIG 6 to the conduit 138. A pneumatic recycling means is provided including conduit 144 having valve 148 therein and connected to the righthand end of valve 134.

Conduit 138 is connected to a compressor 156 and includes filter 150, pressure gauge 154, and an outlet responsive selectively adjustable pressure regulator 152.

The present invention operates as follows:

Let it be assumed that the selector pins 112 and 114 have been preset opposite the eighth notch from the right-hand end of each of theracks 110 and 111 so that the truck will be switched from the main slot 16 to a predetermined shunt slot. Also, let it be assumed that while the vehicle 10 is moving along the main slot which may be several miles long, and it has been decided to change the destination of vehicle 10. By punching selective buttons at a control panel, cams 158 and 160 are raised upwardly from floor level to a position approximately l-l [2 inches above floor level. SeeFIG. 1. The selector pins 112 and 114 engage the cams 15S and 160, respectively and are moved to their No. 1 position at the extreme righthand end of the racks when facing the front of the vehicle 10.

At the control panel, appropriate buttons will be pushed to activate appropriate solenoids 70 of the limit stop means 60 and 66'. Let is be assumed that solenoid 70 is actuated to raise plunger 82 to the phantom position shown in FIG. 5. As the vehicle 10 approaches the housing 18, the wheels will roll over the top wall sections 34 and 36 which are flush with floor level. Also, the tow pin will pass between the channel walls 30 and 32. In doing so, the tow pin 100 trips the microswitch associated with valve 146. This causes motor fluid to flow from conduit 138 through conduit 142 to the valve 134 and shifts the valve to a position wherein conduits 132 is exhausted to atmosphere and conduit 137 communicates with conduit 138. As a result thereof, motor fluid will enter the right-hand end of the cylinders 56 and 56' in FIG. 6

This in turn will cause the piston rods 60 and 60' to retract and pivot the cams 40 and 40'. Cams 40 and 40' pivot until members 64 and 64 engage one of the plungcrs. As the cams 40 and 40' pivot they move into the path of the selector pins 112 and 114 and shift the same transversely across the vehicle by causing the pins 112 and 114 to pivot about theirpins 118 and 122 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5, the plunger 82 has been raised to the phantom position wherein it will act as a limit stop for member 64. Thereafter, the selector pin 112 will slide off and lose contact with member 64 and remain in the notch to which it was moved by contact with the cam 40.

The valve 146 is provided with a spring return mechanism. As soon as the valve 146 is shifted to a position wherein pressurized air was directed through conduit 142 to valve 134, the

spring return closed valve 146. Conduit 138 now commu-- nicates with conduits 136, 136' and 137 Notwithstanding the fact that valve 134 stays in the position to which it has been moved. Hence, valve 134 remains in its new position wherein conduit 132 is exhausted to atmosphere.

As soon as the selector pins 112 and 114 have been repositioned, the tow pin 100 will engage the cam 149 which projects into the slot between channel walls 30 and 32. When the tow pin contacts the cam 149, valve 148 shifts temporarily to a position wherein motor fluid from conduit 148 is communicated to the right-hand end of valve 134. This reshifts the valve 134 to its original position as shown in FIG. 6. In doing so, it vents conduit 13'? to atmosphere and places conduit 132 in communication with conduit 138, thereby causing the cams 40 and 40' to return to their initial position. Valve 148 has a spring return and therefore assumes the position shown in FIG. 6 when the tow pin 100 is no longer in contact with the cam 149. The system 12 is now in condition for recycling the next vehicle.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the system 10 need not be utilized only for changing the position of the selector pins 112 and 114. That is, the system 12 may be utilized as the only means for positioning the selector pins in the desired location along their respective racks so that the vehicles can be transferred from movement along the main slot 16 to any desired shunt slot. As will be apparent from FIG. 3, the selector pin 112 does not physically rest in a notch 124 but rather is disposed in an upright position juxtaposed to the notches. The rod 116 physically rests in one of the notches 124 at all times.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.

lclaim:

l. A tow vehicle system comprising a reference surface having a slot, a tow vehicle having a tow pin extending into said slot for guiding the vehicle as it is propelled along the slot, said vehicle having a downwardly extending selector pin positionable at selected transverse positions on said vehicle, said selector pin being pivotably mounted on said vehicle about a'vertical axis adjacent the rear of the vehicle, means for selectively changing the transverse position of said selector pin while the vehicle is being propelled along said slot, said position changing means including a cam supported by said surface, means mounting said cam for pivotable movement about a vertical axis, circuitry including a motor means connected to said cam for moving the cam from an initial position and positioning said cam in the path of said selector pin tocause said selector pin to pivot and move in a direction transverse to said slot, and means associated with said cam and responsive to the passage of said vehicle for causing said cam to return to its initial position after the vehicle is moved downstream beyond said position changing means.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 including a rack at the front end of said vehicle, said rack having notches defining the selected transverse positions 3. A system in accordance with claim 1 including limit stop means for selectively limiting the extend of movement of said cam as it moves from said initial position in a transverse direction.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said circuitry includes a device responsive to the presence of the vehicle for initiating movement of said cam from its initial position to a preselected position to thereby move the selector pin to a preselected transverse position on said vehicle.

5. A system in accordance with claim 1 including limit stop means for selectively limiting the extent of movement of the cam as it moves from said initial position, said limit stop means including a plurality of plungers at different distances from said slot, and means for selectively and independently moving said plungers from a retracted position to a position wherein they contact the cam and limit the extent of pivotable movement of the cam.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1 including a second cam identical with said first cam, said cams being on opposite sides of said slot, said truck having a second selector pin, the selector pins being on opposite sides of the tow pin, said second cam being adapted to cooperate with said second selector pin in the same manner as said first cam cooperates with said first selector pin while being completely independent of said first cam.

7. A vehicle comprising a base mounted on wheels, a tow pin at the front center of the base and extending downwardly so that it may enter a guide slot, an upright selector pin extending downwardly for a distance sufficient so that its lower end will be adjacent a floor, said selector pin being located adjacent the front of the vehicle between the center of the base and a side edge of the base, means defining preselected transverse positions for said selector pin, and means mounting said selector pin for pivotable movement of said selector pin about a vertical axis on said base remote from said selector pin.

8. A vehicle in accordance with claim 7 including a second selector pin, said selector pins being on opposite sides of the tow pin, said second selector pin being parallel to said firstmentioned selector pin, said second selector p in bein mounted for pivotable movement about a vertical axis on sat base remote from said second selector pin.

9. A tow vehicle system comprising a reference surface having a slot adapted to receive a tow pin on a vehicle which is to be guided by and propelled along the slot, means for selectively changing the transverse position of a selector pin on a vehicle while the vehicle is being propelled along the slot, said means including a cam supported by the surface, circuitry including a motor means below the plane of the surface and connected to the cam for moving a portion of said cam from an initial position in a direction transverse with respect to said slot, said circuitry including a device responsive to the presence of a vehicle for initiating movement of said cam from its initial position to a preselected position to thereby move the selector pin on the vehicle to a preselected transverse position on the vehicle, and means associated with said cam and responsive to the passage of said vehicle for causing said cam to return to' its initial position after a vehicle has moved downstream beyond said means.

10. A system in accordance with claim 9 including means mounting said cam for pivotable movement about a vertical axis, said motor means including a power cylinder mounted for pivotable movement and pivotably coupled to said cam.

11. A system in accordance with claim 9 including limit stop means, said limit stop means including a row of plungers in said surface, means for selectively and independently raising said plungers to a position for contact with said portion of said cam.

12. A system in accordance with claim 9 including a second pivotably mounted cam, said cams being opposite sides of the slot, and a separate motor means below the plane of the surface and connected to the second cam for moving a portion of the second cam from an initial position in a direction transverse with respect to said slot, and means associated with said second cam and responsive to the passage of said vehicle for causing said second cam to return to its initial position after the vehicle has moved downstream beyond said means.

13. A system in accordance with claim 11 including a pit in said surface, a housing in said pit, said housing containing said position changing means and said limit stop means. 

1. A tow vehicle system comprising a reference surface having a slot, a tow vehicle having a tow pin extending into said slot for guiding the vehicle as it is propelled along the slot, said vehicle having a downwardly extending selector pin positionable at selected transverse positions on said vehicle, said selector pin being pivotably mounted on said vehicle about a vertical axis adjacent the rear of the vehicle, means for selectively changing the transverse position of said selector pin while the vehicle is being propelled along said slot, said position changing means including a cam supported by said surface, means mounting said cam for pivotable movement about a vertical axis, circuitry including a motor means connected to said cam for moving the cam from an initial position and positioning said cam in the path of said selector pin to cause said selector pin to pivot and move in a direction transverse to said slot, and means associated with said cam and responsive to the passage of said vehicle for causing said cam to return to its initial position after the vehicle is moved downstream beyond said position changing means.
 2. A system in accordance with claim 1 including a rack at the front end of said vehicle, said rack having notches defining the selected transverse positions.
 3. A system in accordance with claim 1 including limit stop means for selectively limiting the extend of movement of said cam as it moves from said initial position in a transverse direction.
 4. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said circuitry includes a device responsive to the presence of the vehicle for initiating movement of said cam from its initial position to a preselected position to thereby move the selector pin to a preselected transverse position on said vehicle.
 5. A system in accordance with claim 1 including limit stop means for selectively limiting the extent of movement of the cam as it moves from said initial position, said limit stop means including a plurality of plungers at different distances from said slot, and means for selectively and independently moving said plungers from a retracted position to a position wherein they contact the cam and limit the extent of pivotable movement of the cam.
 6. A system in accordance with claim 1 including a second cam identical with said first cam, said cams being on opposite sides of said slot, said truck having a second selector pin, the selector pins being on opposite sides of the tow pin, said second cam being adapted to cooperate with said second selector pin in the same manner as said first cam cooperates with said first selector pin while being completely independent of said first cam.
 7. A vehicle comprising a base mounted on wheels, a tow pin at the front center of the base and extending downwardly so that it may enter a guide slot, an upright selector pin extending downwardly for a distance sufficient so that its lower end will be adjacent a floor, said selector pin being located adjacent the front of the vehicle between the center of the base and a side edge of the base, means defining preselected transverse positions for said selector pin, and means mounting said selector pin for pivotable movement of said selector pin about a vertical axis on said base remote from said selector pin.
 8. A vehicle in accordance with claim 7 including a second selector pin, said selector pins being on opposite sides of the tow pin, said second selector pin being parallel to said first-mentioned selector pin, said second selector pin being mounted for pivotable movement about a vertical axis on said base remote from said second selector pin.
 9. A tow vehicle system comprising a reference surface having a slot adapted to receive a tow pin on a vehicle which is to be guided by and propelled along the slot, means for selectively changing the transverse position of a selector pin on a vehicle while the vehicle is being propelled along the slot, said means including a cam supported by the surface, circuitry including a motor means below the plane of the surface and connected to the cam for moving a portion of said cam from an initial position in a direction transverse with respect to said slot, said circuitry including a device responsive to the presence of a vehicle for initiating movement of said cam from its initial position to a preselected position to thereby move the selector pin on the vehicle to a preselected transverse position on the vehicle, and means associated with said cam and responsive to the passage of said vehicle for causing said cam to return to its initial position after a vehicle has moved downstream beyond said means.
 10. A system in accordance with claim 9 including means mounting said cam for pivotable movement about a vertical axis, said motor means including a power cylinder mounted for pivotable movement and pivotably coupled to said cam.
 11. A system in accordance with claim 9 including limit stop means, said limit stop means including a row of plungers in said surface, means for selectively and independently raising said plungers to a position for contact with said portion of said cam.
 12. A system in accordance with claim 9 incluDing a second pivotably mounted cam, said cams being opposite sides of the slot, and a separate motor means below the plane of the surface and connected to the second cam for moving a portion of the second cam from an initial position in a direction transverse with respect to said slot, and means associated with said second cam and responsive to the passage of said vehicle for causing said second cam to return to its initial position after the vehicle has moved downstream beyond said means.
 13. A system in accordance with claim 11 including a pit in said surface, a housing in said pit, said housing containing said position changing means and said limit stop means. 